Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: The association between thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid cancer has long been suggested, in addition whether and how the concurrent thyroid autoimmunity with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC) affects clinicopathological features and prognosis is a matter of debate. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the laboratory data, cancer characteristics and prognosis of PTC patients with and without thyroid autoimmunity.

Materials and Methods: Data of 2276 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in our hospital from 2012 to 2022 was analysed. Total 202 patients diagnosed as PTC whose full data could be accessed were included in the study. The demographic, clinical and pathological features were recorded. Thyroid autoimmunity is defined as presence of antibodies against Thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and/or TSH receptor (TR).

Results: Mean age of patients was 46.67±12.8/year, Majority of patients were female (n=165, 81%). Autoimmunity was positive in 73 patients (36 %). Hundred seven patients (53% ) were papillary microcarcinoma. Disease age in the majority of patients was between 1-5 years (n=161, 79.7%). There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001) in postoperative Thyroglobuline measurements when autooimmune positive patients were compared with autoimmunity negative patients (5.522±26.916 IU/MI and 16,489±52.26 IU/MI respectively). The patients with pre-op Anti-Tg value >115 IU/MI were excluded, and postoperative thyroglobuline levels remained lower in antiTPO and/or TRAb positive cases (mean post-op TG was 18.12±55.9 in anti-TPO and TRAb negative group, the mean post-op TG level was 4.39±11.05 in Anti-TPO and/or TRAb positive group) (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Since the post-op Tg level is significantly low in autoimmunity positive patients, independent of pre-op anti-Tg elevation, it can be suggested that the prognosis of PTC may be better in individuals with autoimmunity with high anti-TPO antibody titers. However, larger and prospective studies are needed to clarify the relationship between PTC and autoimmunity

Keywords: Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Autoimmunity, Anti-TPO